Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) ASCP Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The intrinsic pathway of coagulation is a vital part of the hemostatic process that initiates the formation of a blood clot. It is activated by trauma to blood vessels and involves several coagulation factors that work in a cascade to produce fibrin, which is essential for clot formation.

Factor VII is not part of the intrinsic pathway; instead, it is a component of the extrinsic pathway. The extrinsic pathway is activated by tissue factor (also known as thromboplastin) released from damaged tissues, which interacts with Factor VII to initiate the clotting process.

In contrast, factors XII (Hageman factor), IX, and XI play integral roles in the intrinsic pathway, where they activate one another in a series of chemical reactions that lead to the activation of Factor X, bringing both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways together. Understanding the distinctions between these pathways is essential for a comprehensive grasp of the coagulation process, especially in clinical settings where coagulation disorders may arise.